18 THE WEEKEND NEOS KOSMOS | SATURDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2015 WHAT’S ON Community Guide AHEPA: A Night at the Museum VICTORIA AHEPA Youth is getting behind the Hellenic Museum, with a special fundraising event entitled A Night at the Museum. This is an opportunity to have an exclusive and private viewing of the Benaki Exhibition by night, direct from Athens' Benaki Museum, Be sure to arrive on an empty stomach - there will be a gourmet grazing table set up by Kathy Tsaples, celebrated cookbook author and founder of Prahran Market's Sweet Greek. To add to the ambience of the night, there'll be a live jazz band set up in the museum's award-winning MPavilion and gardens, on the site of the former Royal Mint of Victoria. Cost of attendance is $55 for AHEPA Youth members, and $65 for general admission, with all funds raised going towards expanding the museum's education program. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www. ahepayouth.org/fundraising and follow the links. When: Saturday 5 December at 7.00 pm Where: Hellenic Museum, 280 William St, Melbourne, VIC mobile art galleries and performance spaces, having turned theatres into houses and houses into theatres. Witness everything from angels to man-rabbits, be exposed to industrial soundscapes of sirens and massed choirs, see a show in a wardrobe, a woman hanging from a window and a whole house seemingly fallen from the sky. You'll even get a chance to take part in a performancebased street party down Footscray's bustling Nicholson Street. And the great news? Most events are free! For more information and to view the full program, visit www.bigwest.com. au/festival-2015/ When: 20-28 November Where: Various locations across the western suburbs Byzantine Anthology VICTORIA UTS Hellenic Ball NEW SOUTH WALES Big West Festival 2015 VICTORIA November is an exciting month for both art enthusiasts and Melbourne's west, as the Big West Festival takes place. Recognised as the west's leading community-based contemporary arts festival, the nine-day extravaganza takes place every two years. In 2015 there's an even bigger reason to celebrate, as the festival turns 10. Expect a jam-packed schedule of 70 multicultural, multi-artform events, all of which celebrate the west and the meaning it holds for its residents. This year's theme is the inner and outer world of the HOUSE, so you'll see art spaces in all forms, some of which have been made by the artists themselves, including The University of Technology Sydney is preparing to host its first ever Hellenic Ball. Set to take place later this month, the event will honour and celebrate the efforts of alumni, sponsors, and the 2015 Hellenic committee. Over the past 35 years, UTS Hellenic has developed a sense of Greek culture, friendships and support throughout the institution, as well as fostering a strong involvement in the Greek community of Sydney. The dress code is black tie, so be sure to don your best get-up for this night. A ticketed event, cost of attendance is $100 per person and is inclusive of a four-course meal, unlimited premium beer, wine, champagne and soft drinks throughout the evening. Spirits may be purchased at the bar. There will also be live entertainment, and plenty of dancing. To purchase tickets, visit http://bit.ly/1UPcaoQ Be sure to purchase your tickets no later than Wednesday 13 November and notify organisers of any dietary requirements. For more information, contact executive members Stephanie on 0424 239 391, Vicky on 0481 315 624, or Mia on 0420 557 338. When: Friday 27 November from 7.00 pm - midnight Where: Doltone House, 223 Belgrave Esplanade, Sylvania Waters, NSW David the Psalmist, the choir of the Second Archdiocesan District of Victoria and Tasmania, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, will be performing an afternoon Byzantine Anthology - a selection of Byzantine hymns encompassing the Holy Liturgy, as well as other services in Orthodox worship. Made up of both students and experienced chanters, since its inauguration the choir has performed many times, both at Greek events and in broader community events across the country. In keeping with the original goals of the preservation of traditional Byzantine chant, lessons are now offered by members of the choir to anyone interested regardless of gender, age or ethnicity. Through both public performance and offering training, the choir is seeking to preserve and pass on the tradition of Byzantine music through Melbourne for coming generations. For more information about the performance and Byzantine chant lessons, visit www.davidthepsalmist.org or phone 0411 453 454. When: Sunday 22 November at 4.30 pm Where: Holy Monastery of Axion Estin, 7 Harrington Street, Northcote, VIC food and beverages included. There will be free parking at the rear of the venue. To make a reservation, to donate, or to discuss other ways that you can help the children of Greece, contact the event coordinator Betty Athanasakis on (03) 9380 6303, 0452 188 003 or 0479 163 905. When: Saturday 5 December, 2015 at 7.00 pm Where: 253 Albert Street, Brunswick, VIC Yiannis Ritsos: Moonlight Sonata and Absences NEW SOUTH WALES Smile of the Child fundraiser VICTORIA The not-for-profit organisation To Hamogelo tou Paidiou (Smile of the Child) is to host its annual Laiki Bradia with the aim of raising funds for the children of Greece. Thousands of children across the country are abandoned, neglected, sexually abused and victims of child trafficking. This is a particularly important initiative as the children of Greece face ever increasing economic hardship and needless suffering. Supported by the Pallaconian Brotherhood 'Leonidas', the event is being organised by Betty Athanasakis and her committee of volunteers, with all funds going towards this worthy cause. Cost of attendance is $60 per person and $30 per child, with As part of the Hellenic Theorem, Sydney University's Department of Modern Greek presents Moonlight Sonata and Absences by celebrated poet Yiannis Ritsos (1909-1990). Moonlight Sonata was written and published by Ritsos in June 1956 as part of a collection of poetry entitled The Fourth Dimension, through which he expresses a tragic stalemate of a decadent and vitiated bourgeoisie. It has been performed both in Greek and English by many well-known actors, including Melina Mercouri and Helen Mirren. Absences, also known as The Shape of Absence, is part of URN (1958) and was originally written for Ritsos' goddaughter Fotinoula Filiakou, who died at the age of two. The performance, set to be spectacular dramatisation of the poet's work, will be directed by Professor Vrasidas Karalis with the assistance of Eleni Eleftherias Kostakidis. Performing Moonlight Sonata in English will be Irene Sarrinikolaou, with Greek subtitles, while Athanasia Costa will perform Absences in Greek, with English subtitles. A ticketed event, the cost of entry is $25 for adults and $20 concession and can be purchased online via www. stickytickets.com.au/30943, directly from the Greek Bilingual Bookshop, or prepay and pick up at the door. For more information, call the Greek Bilingual Bookshop on (02) 95594424, Thursday-Saturday between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm. When: Friday 20 and Saturday 21 November at 7.30 pm Where: Old Darlington School, Maze Crescent, University of Sydney, NSW Greek Gig Guide Antipodes periodical launch The new edition of culture and arts periodical Antipodes is set to be launched on Sunday 15 November at 3.00 pm at the Panarcadian Association (second floor, 570 Victoria Street, North Melbourne). Hosted by Dr Chris Fifis, guests will be entertained by Anthea’s Rubies. The results of the annual literary competition will also be announced on the day. For more information, visit the Greek Australian Cultural League online at www.gacl.com.au The Demons of Athens rock concert Presented as part of Hellenic Theorem, The Demons of Athens rock concert commences in the ‘60s when Western rock music started to emerge in Greece and comes around to the present. Taking place on Thursday 19 November at 7.30 pm at The Red Rattler Theatre (6 Faversham St, Marrickville, NSW), the concert will be performed by the Lakedemons, and Professor Vrasidas Karalis, author of The Demons of Athens, will give a recitation. It will be accompanied by visual material directly from Greece depicting the political and social situation, including the recent refugee crisis. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 concession. To book, visit www. stickytickets.com. au/30879 or visit the Greek Bilingual Bookshop (837 New Canterbury Rd, Dulwich Hill, NSW) ZakCity Greek Night The Zakynthian Association of Sydney and New South Wales presents ZakCity Greek Night with Maria Stavropoulou and Nikita Ellenis, along with a live Greek band and DJ. Taking place on Saturday 28 November at the ZakHouse (30 Croydon Street, Lakemba, NSW), it’ll be a great night to celebrate with friends and Greek music. Tickets are $50 for adults, and $30 for children (under 15) with all meals and drinks included. Bookings are essential - contact Marino on 0421 101 566 or Sarandi on 0401 992 448. Nikos Kourkoulis Encore Pambris Bros Pty Ltd are proud to present Nikos Kourkoulis. The Greek singer will perform Down Under on Saturday 12 December at Central Live (588 Princess Highway, Rockdale, NSW). Tickets are now on sale, with only cabaret seating available from $99 per person. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 0400 331 11. Cavo Paradiso Australia Tour The Mykonos experience is coming Down Under with the Cavo Paradiso Australia Tour. Dates have landed for Sydney, so be sure to lock in Monday 28 December (Boxing Day public holiday) for a full day and night reminiscent of your time in Mykonos, with plenty of international guests. Tickets are on sale from Monday 8 November. The location is yet to be announced, so stay tuned. For information, email info@mykonosseries.com Lonsdale Street Festival 2016 The 29th Lonsdale Street Festival is set to take place over two days from 27-28 February, 2016. A cultural event not to be missed, be sure to get down to the CBD and enjoy everything Greek, from food, entertainment and culture in Melbourne’s iconic Greek Precinct. If you are interested in taking part as a volunteer or wish to rent a stall, go online and fill out an application form at www.greekcentre.com.au More information on the festival program is due to be released at a later date. DIGITAL.NEOSKOSMOS.COM